The Best Travel Makeup Bags for Crafting Lewks on Vacation

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

As I've gotten older (I'm almost 30.... *shudders*) I've realized just how life-changing a good travel essential can be — even when you're not using it in a hotel or at the airport. Case in point: a good travel makeup bag. Not only does it help keep all of your concealers, skincare essentials, and blushes in one organized location during travel, it also does the exact same thing at home. You don't need a normal makeup bag when the travel one gets the job done better, right?

The best travel makeup bags of course come in many shapes and sizes, but our team of editors and experts came together to find the most incredible options for every type of makeup lover out there. Whether you only have a couple of staple products or have had to seriously consider bringing an additional carry-on to fit all of your beauty favorites during your travels, we've included options for you. Below, read on to find the best travel makeup bag for you.

The Best Travel Makeup Bags

• Best Overall: The Small Toiletry Bag

• Best Budget: Queboom Travel Makeup Bag
  

• Best Organizer: Hunter Neoprene Toiletry Bag

• Best Multi-Compartment: The Dopp Kit

• Best Bulk: Skkn by Kim Vanity Bag

What to Consider

When selecting the best travel makeup bag for yourself or for a giftee, you have a few things to consider before pressing "add to cart." First, you should check out how much space you really have in your travel backpack or carry-on to fit additional storage essentials. Then, you have to think about what you're putting in the bag. Will it only be small makeup items, or will you also want to throw in skincare essentials, small toiletries, and hair accessories? Once you have figured that out, consider the type of material your makeup bag should be. How important is it for you to be able to wash this? If it's a must, you'll obviously want something waterproof.

Size

How much space do you have in your luggage to add a travel makeup bag? Will you mostly be throwing it into a weekender or a large suitcase that has miles of space inside? Consider what you're working with on the road (and in your perhaps very full closet), then peep at the travel makeup bag's dimensions to ensure it'll fit easily into your packing routine.

Laura Geller, a New York City-based makeup artist and entrepreneur who has her own namesake makeup brand filled with editor-loved products, says size is perhaps the most important factor shoppers should consider.

"I tend to travel with a lot of makeup so I can switch up my looks when I’m on my trips. I find a lot of the ones on the market are very small and only hold a few things, so I’m always on the hunt for one that can hold a lot," she explains. "Additionally, I like one that can lay flat (hanging organizers work here, too) so that I can easily find everything, and I’m not rummaging for a product at the bottom of a bag."

Compartments

Are you a Type A traveler who needs everything divided into certain spaces? For example, will you want your blushes to stay in one pocket, your concealers to stay in another, and your brushes securely placed in built-in brush holders? Or, could you care less and just want something that'll fit everything?

"I love one where you don’t have to be worried about organizing all of your makeup, that holds a lot of product and is easy to find your items once it’s been opened," said Geller.

Either way is right, so long as it's what you or your giftee want. When looking for a travel makeup bag, make sure that it has enough compartments, pockets, and dividers to fulfill your needs.

Washable Material

If you or your giftee have experienced an exploded concealer or liquid blush from time to time, then you know how important a washable (specifically, a machine-washable) travel makeup bag is. Many of the best travel makeup bags on the market are made with at least wipeable material that makes for an easy clean-up.

How We Selected

Our product experts tested these travel makeup bags at home, on the road, and, of course, in the air and at hotels. We judged makeup bags for their organizational features, space, material, and giftability. Some of these selections have been used for years and years, while other newer ones have been put through the wringer for at least a few weeks. When we weren't traveling, we simulated the experience by bringing these travel makeup bags with us to the gym and to the office to determine how well they fit into commutes and luggage.

If we weren't able to test a bag, we conducted thorough research, vetted the brand, or took our expert's recommendations on what features a good travel makeup bag needs to be useful.

Why Trust Us

I have more than half a decade's worth of experience professionally testing and reviewing travel essentials and makeup. Additionally, I reached out to our beauty editor for her expert picks, as well as professional makeup artists who travel a lot to include their choices.

The Small Toiletry Bag

I wasn't at all shocked at the high quality of Away's Small Toiletry Bag — the beloved travel brand is known for its innovative creations that combine organization and aesthetics to create truly remarkable accessories, bags, and luggage.

What makes this travel makeup bag the best of the best is its sleek and useful features. The zip-up bag has two sections each with zip-up mesh enclosures that allow you to see your contents without having them spill on top of each other. One section is a deep pocket that is capable of fitting bigger items like hairbrushes, serums, or cleansers. The other side includes five brush holders as well as more open space for any additional items.

While the name says it's small, I found I was able to fit a lot of products inside, including several blushes, five brushes, cleansers, foundations, serums, and more.

The shape of the bag as well as the nylon material it's made with make for a sturdy traveler that can be smooshed a bit to fit into tight bags, but will keep its shape enough so that your items won't be crushed throughout your journey.

But, if any travel mishaps do occur and foundation spills or powder gets everywhere, you can easily wipe off smudges and stains since the interior is coated for easy wipe-downs.

This makeup bag comes in four chic and aesthetically-pleasing colorways. The white option would make a great gift for brides before they embark on honeymoons and the black would be a great gift for your boyfriend and his toiletries (he could use the brush holders for combs and other essentials).

When it comes to travel makeup bags, you'll be hard-pressed to find one more dependable than this.

Related: 44 Long-Flight Essentials to Make Traveling More Comfortable, Even If You’re Sitting in Coach

Queboom Travel Makeup Bag

If you're on a tight budget or are perhaps buying a bunch of travel makeup bags to gift your bachelorette party, or group of girlfriends before a trip, or are grabbing several as gifts for teens for your nieces or kids, you won't break the budget with this style.

Under $10, this Amazon favorite is similar to the Away bag in that it has a clamshell opening, a sturdy handle, and makeup brush holders (six to be exact). Though each side of this bag isn't sectioned off with zip-up closures, you will get a detachable zipped-up pouch with this buy. The addition comes in handy for hair ties, bobby pins, or jewelry that can easily be lost during travel.

Additionally, this bag is waterproof on the inside and outside, so you or your giftee can clean it up easily post-travel by simply tossing it in the washing machine.

There are a whopping 25 color options and patterns to choose from, but we're partial to this muted sage green or this bold yellow that would come in handy if you often lose things (nothing's easier to spot in a messy closet than a makeup bag that essentially glows in the dark).

Hunter Neoprene Toiletry Bag

This travel makeup bag comes with so many goodies inside, you'll feel like it's Christmas opening it up. In addition to the three makeup brush holders, and a built-in mesh pocket, the bag comes with two removable zip-up pouches (the small size only has one). One's long and narrow and is great for holding combs, additional brushes, and mascara, while the other bigger option is stellar for organizing flat products like highlighters and powders.

The washable bag comes in small and large sizes and has three different finishes: neoprene, air mesh, or seasonal. It also comes with a unique locking securing system. Once you zip it up, you can then take each side fold and button it down so it's more compact.

Also, when you buy this bag you'll get a free duster to keep it in while you store it. However, I like this bag so much that I use it as my daily makeup bag. It's big enough to fit the essentials — I have two sunscreens, concealer, foundation, two blushes, a mascara, and a few eyebrow products in now — but doesn't take up a lot of coveted bathroom or closet space.

The quality of this travel makeup bag is impressive. Though it's flexible, the thick fabric keeps glass products protected from breaking during transit while still fitting into tight quarters inside bags or luggage.

The Dopp Kit

If you're looking for a travel makeup bag that will fit a lot of products, look no further. This dual-compartment design from Beis is a big boy with big storage capabilities.

"Even though Beis lists dimensions on their website, I was still surprised by how big the Dopp kit was," said Best Products tester and writer Lauren Gruber. "I was able to fit my daily makeup and brushes in the top compartment and my skincare and perfume in the bottom compartment, which claims to be spill-proof."

She says the separate sections made it easier to organize all of her cosmetics and additional toiletries — there are two interior slip pockets to keep your toothbrush and medications separate.

This travel makeup bag also features a loop at the top that you can use in your bathroom or hotel room on towel hooks. "The design is very attractive and I love how it comes in so many colors coordinate with the rest of your Beis luggage," Gruber continued. "I could also see myself using it to keep my portable chargers, cables, and pens organized for a longer trip. I was packing into the Beis Front Pocket Carry-On Roller and I did find that it was difficult to get the Dopp kit to lay flat inside of my luggage when packed to the brim. For that reason, I would suggest pairing it with a larger piece of luggage like the Check-In Roller."

Vanity Bag

To be honest, at first glance, I was thoroughly unimpressed by this $70 travel makeup bag. The floppy construction and minimal pocket and compartment options seemed like proof that it was overpriced and overhyped.

However, after giving this bag a chance, I realized just how useful the XL holder can be — thanks to the elastic loop system inside. The nine loops are meant for the brand's entire skincare system but do a stellar job at holding everything from contact solutions, serums, cleansers, foundations, shampoos, and more essentials. I didn't realize how big of a game-changer this was until I loaded it up on my own for a five-day trip.

Usually, I throw toiletries into my suitcase and hope for the best, but this bag allows for everything I need to stay in one spot. From small concealer brushes to large bottles of lotion, I fit it all.

Will this bag take up a good chunk of space in carry-on bags? Yes. But you'd be using that space regardless, so you might as well do so in an organized fashion.

It only comes in one colorway because Kim Kardashian famously loves muted and matching aesthetics, so don't expect any patterns. It'd make a great luxury gift for somebody who loves to Keep Up and has a mini Sephora store in their home.

Lay-n-Go Cosmo Drawstring Organizer

Geller recommends a travel makeup bag that's a bit unique to the average consumer. "I love this one from Amazon," she said of the Lay-n-Go. "I love it so much I actually got it for my entire marketing team as a holiday gift one year."

The clever style cinches up into a pouch bag but once loosened, lies flat like a pancake so you can see all of your products easily. Thanks to the dozen+ makeup loops throughout the bag, your concealers, brow gels, and mascaras will remain in place no matter what position the bag's in.

In addition to these holders, the travel makeup bag also has a zip-up pocket to hold smaller items like rings, watches, or hair ties.

This is a great gift idea for makeup lovers who perhaps get a little messy in hotel bathrooms with all of their belongings. They'll be able to see all of their makeup while getting ready for the day without having to take everything out and leave it in the sink... not that this has ever happened.

It comes in 30 pattern options ranging from neutral blacks and blues to eye-catching leopard and camo. Choose whatever fits your giftee's style for a more customized element.

Washable Travel Makeup and Cosmetic Everyday Bag

The Best Products beauty editor Nicole Saunders has endless knowledge on all things makeup. Seriously. Ask her anything and she'll know the answer and give you 17 recommendations in 16 seconds. So, of course, we had to tap her for some of her most coveted travel makeup bag recommendations.

"I love my Kusshi makeup bags and highly recommend them as a beauty gift to yourself or a loved one," she said. "They're available in two types of materials — fabric and leather — but I prefer fabric because it's cheaper and easy to clean if makeup accidentally gets on the exterior or interior lining. Speaking of, the vast variety of colorways to select ensures it matches everyone's personal style. I'm personally obsessed with the Candy Apple Red fabric with leopard interior because it's easy to spot in my workbag or suitcase."

There are three sizes to chose from, including the Everyday which holds up to 10 products, Signature which fits up to 20 products, and Vacationer which carries up to 30 products.

She says she can fit a good amount of product in the Signature size option, including foundation, powders, blushes, brushes, and lipsticks. We also got our hands on the Vacationer, and wow. That thing will fit your entire makeup collection easily. It just might also take up half of the space in your weekender/ carry-on...

Toiletry Bag

Hanging toiletry bags are great options that double as travel makeup bags. This best-selling one from Amazon has four different compartments, a bunch of inner pockets, and elastic straps that hold everything from shampoo bottles to eyeshadow palettes. To top it all off (literally) a hanger head is attached so you or your giftee can easily hang the bag on racks at home or in hotels.

The different compartments have useful design features like elastic straps and double zippers to hold large bottles upright and in place. The transparent sides are also great because you can peak inside and note what you have without having to unzip the entire bag and search through it.

Choose from 2 size options and 8 colorways to match your luggage or aesthetic.

Pillow Talk Makeup Bag

Another recommendation from Saunders, this travel makeup bag from celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury is compact but chock-full of useful design elements.

"It's the perfect gift for someone like me who has a sizeable beauty collection and wants to keep everything as organized as possible," Saunders explained. "I have a compartment for eyeliners, brow pencils, and mascaras, another for eyeshadow quads and singles, and one solely for my lipsticks. It's a small detail, but I appreciate that the zipper never gets stuck, which has happened more often than not with other makeup bags I've tested. Not only is this bag functional, but it's stunning! The classic pillow talk pink faux leather exterior with the cheeky lip and lipstick print is gorgeous and lives proudly as a display piece on my shelf."

The accordion-style bag has five compartments, a zipper pouch, and a zipper closure. And, perhaps most importantly, it features a bold lip design that's the same color as the brand's iconic Pillow Talk lipstick.

Related: Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Foundation Is Our Beauty Editor’s Biggest Makeup Secret

You Might Also Like

• The Paris Hilton Housewares Collection Brings ‘That’s Hot’ Energy to Your Kitchen

• 16 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Perfect for Rocking Out in Quiet Bliss

• Beyoncé Uses This $26 Amazon Product for Her Glossy Blonde Hair